Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

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teri3
Posts: 405
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:03 am

Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby teri3 » Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:40 am

I have a question about what other women have done with tneir hair during chemo. Im on folfiri + Avastin and my hair has thinned, ive lost about half. Right now its a little shorter than shoulder length but looks scraggly, Im thinking about cutting it in a punky pixie cut but I'm afraid it will it will look bad because of how thin it is. Also ive let my hair go completely gray, I'm afraid I will lose it if I color. What has anyone else done.
Thanks
Teri
58 yrs old female
MSS KRAS mutation G12V
adenocarcinoma sigmoid colon dx 11-14
sigmoidectomy 11-14
Stage 3A
3 out of 20 lymph nodes involved
started FolFox 1-27-15
11 rounds FOLFOX last one 6-30-2015
7-29-2015 PET clear
5-14-2016 CT 2 nodules one in each lung
Confirmed pulmonary metastasis stage 4
FOLFIRi + Avistin started 8-16 11 rounds complete 12-16
CT 12-16 nodules shrunk chemo break wait and see :?
CT growth
VATS l lung 4 10 17
VATS r lung 4 24 17
CT 2 nodules r up and l low :(

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ginabeewell
Posts: 565
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2018 10:30 am

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby ginabeewell » Mon Dec 10, 2018 4:34 pm

I haven't lost much hair on FOLFOX but I will say that I've continued to color. Any reason you are hesitating to do that? I feel like it gives me more volume for my already thin hair so that helps to bulk up, along with a shorter cut.
49 YO mom of twins (11) lucky stepmom of 16/19 year olds
9/17/18 DX stage 4 CRC w inoperable liver mets CEA 931
Currently NED!

Join me on a lookback of my journey via my Strive for Five on Substack here:
https://ginajacobson.substack.com

All treatment details here:
https://www.weareallmadeofstars.net/col ... nt-journey

My favorite posts here:
https://weareallmadeofstars.net/favorite-posts

teri3
Posts: 405
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:03 am

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby teri3 » Mon Dec 10, 2018 4:42 pm

My oncologist told me I could lose my hair. I figure thin hair is better than bald... been there done that lol
Teri
58 yrs old female
MSS KRAS mutation G12V
adenocarcinoma sigmoid colon dx 11-14
sigmoidectomy 11-14
Stage 3A
3 out of 20 lymph nodes involved
started FolFox 1-27-15
11 rounds FOLFOX last one 6-30-2015
7-29-2015 PET clear
5-14-2016 CT 2 nodules one in each lung
Confirmed pulmonary metastasis stage 4
FOLFIRi + Avistin started 8-16 11 rounds complete 12-16
CT 12-16 nodules shrunk chemo break wait and see :?
CT growth
VATS l lung 4 10 17
VATS r lung 4 24 17
CT 2 nodules r up and l low :(

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juliej
Posts: 3114
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:59 pm

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby juliej » Mon Dec 10, 2018 6:40 pm

I had my hair cut in a shorter, layered style during treatment to disguise the thinning. It helped it look fuller so I'd advise going in that direction -- maybe not quite as short as a pixie cut though.

As far as color, you can use chemo-safe products like Goldwell. Just see if there is a salon around you that uses Goldwell rather than other brands of hair color. It will make your hair look fuller and is gentle enough not to cause any more hair loss. Also, let the colorist and stylist know what you are going through. They will treat your hair with more gentleness if they know.

Juliej
Stage IVb, liver/lung mets 8/4/2010
Xelox+Avastin 8/18/10 to 10/21/2011
LAR, liver resec, HAI pump 11/2011
Adjuvant Irinotecan + FUDR
Double lung surgery + ileo reversal 2/2012
Adjuvant FUDR + Xeloda
VATS rt. lung 12/2012 - benign granuloma!
VATS left lung 11/2013
NED 11/22/13 to 12/18/2019, CEA<1

Eleda
Posts: 328
Joined: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:28 am
Facebook Username: adele Morgan
Location: Ireland

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby Eleda » Mon Dec 10, 2018 6:43 pm

Cut my hair n a Bob and bought 3 new wigs :D
SWF, 47
Mom to 3 sons 6/8/12
Dec4th 2017 colonoscopy for minor intermittent rectal bleeding during Summer
CEA 4.4
DX T3 L3C M0 2.5/3 cm above AV.
JAN 3RD started 1650mg Zelda 2xday, with 28 radiation
Did tagamet 800mg daily and 75mg IV VIT C WEEKLY UNTIL SURGERY and
Tumor reduce by 80% 1 LN still remaining
TATME May10th, temp illeostomy
10/07/2018 CEA 3
MMR INTACT
Began FOLFOX July 10th
24/08/2018 Allergic reaction so next infusion lucovorin and 5fu
CEA 4
Second attempt with oxi aug 12th

zephyr
Posts: 363
Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:31 am

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby zephyr » Mon Dec 10, 2018 7:21 pm

I was one of the fortunate ones who had a lot of hair to start so the loss wasn't as noticeable. Even so, as it became more noticeable to me, I went a little shorter because it was starting to look pretty stringy and lifeless (is that redundant?). At one point, I went off chemo for a few months and short, little hairs started popping up all over; my hair looked awesome because the little hairs added volume. If you have enough left to risk some shorter hairs, maybe ask your hairdresser about it ... I think there's a texturizing cutting tool.
Nov-2009 Early stage CRC, routine colonoscopy
2010-2014 F/U colonoscopies, all clear
Jun-2016 CRC during F/U colonoscopy, surgery, Stage 4, KRAS, MSS
Aug-2016-May-2018 Folfox, 5FU, Folfiri & Avastin
Aug/Sep-2018 YAG laser surgeries (Germany), 11 nodules removed
Nov-2018 clean CT scan
Mar-2019 New lung nodules
Apr-2019 Dec-2020 Xeloda/Avastin, SBRT, cont. Xeloda/Avastin
Mar-2021 Forfiri/Avastin
Mar-2022 Ablation & Thoracotomy
Feb-2023 Folfiri & Avastin
Nov-2023 Xeloda & Avastin

lakeswim
Posts: 229
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:37 am

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby lakeswim » Mon Dec 10, 2018 7:41 pm

My hair thinned and I probably lost half in volume. Nobody else seemed to notice but me but my pony tail is much thinner. I can't wait to get my hair cut because it hasn't been in 8 months and it's very scraggly.
Female - RC dgns @ 49 y
Adenocarcinoma
10-11 cm from anal verge ("large")
Stage 3a - T4N0M0
FOLFOX May -Sept 18
Capecetabine + Radiation - 28 sessions - Oct - Nov 18
Jan 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone, Chest/ab CT no change
Feb 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone
W&W (must travel)
.....W&W surveillance 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023....
Jan 24 - approaching 5 years this Spring with W&W surveillance to end.
*grateful*

teri3
Posts: 405
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:03 am

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby teri3 » Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:28 pm

Thanks ladies! Some good suggestions. My hair just makes me look so old and frumpy... I am just a couple of months from 60 so I guess that makes me old but Im far from frumpy!
Teri
58 yrs old female
MSS KRAS mutation G12V
adenocarcinoma sigmoid colon dx 11-14
sigmoidectomy 11-14
Stage 3A
3 out of 20 lymph nodes involved
started FolFox 1-27-15
11 rounds FOLFOX last one 6-30-2015
7-29-2015 PET clear
5-14-2016 CT 2 nodules one in each lung
Confirmed pulmonary metastasis stage 4
FOLFIRi + Avistin started 8-16 11 rounds complete 12-16
CT 12-16 nodules shrunk chemo break wait and see :?
CT growth
VATS l lung 4 10 17
VATS r lung 4 24 17
CT 2 nodules r up and l low :(

margiej
Posts: 109
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2018 8:46 am

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby margiej » Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:43 pm

My genetic thin hair got woefully thinner during and after chemo. I decided I would skip the chemical exposure although I am sure it had nothing to do with my colon cancer.....I had highlighted my hair for years and years and was pretty much a blonde. So I let the highlights grow out and kept my hair trimmed up to above the shoulders. It's a dark brown now with surprisingly little gray and everyone thinks I started dying it brown after my cancer and I have to explain that this is my natural color. I am saving a fortune on hair coloring at the salon but we adopted a St. Berdoodle a year ago and my hair budget now goes toward HER grooming!
Dx CC 12/2015, age 57 at Dx
Stage IIIb: T3N1b
Adenocarcinoma, sigmoid colon, 2.5 cm - low grade, moderately differentiated
3/6 positive lymph nodes
laparoscopic colectomy 1/20/2016
Capox started 3/4/16 - Six rounds
CT-suspicious lymph 2/22/16
PET scan 2/24/16 clear
CT 6/8/16 clear
Clear Colonoscopy 3/2017 and 1/2020
CT 10/3/17 clear
CT 10/17/18 clear
CT 10/17/19 clear
CEA 12/17 1.7
5/16 3.8
7/16 1.9
3/17 1.3
10/17 1.2
4/18 1.6
11/18 1.2

KimT
Posts: 695
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:53 pm

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby KimT » Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:40 pm

Talk to a hairdresser. They can probably help you with style ideas and products to help it appear thicker. I lost all my hair to chemo for ovarian cancer. It came back nice and full but I experienced massive hair loss when I switched my hormone therapy last spring. I was ready to cut it very short but my hairdresser recommended a thickening shampoo, conditioner and leave in product along with a new cut and styling tips. It has made a big difference. Its growing back in finally. I’m glad I didn’t cut it short. It’s still pretty thin as the new growth is super short but at least you can’t see my scalp anymore.
2/10 dx colon cancer
right hemicolectomy 3/19/10
Stage 2a 0/43 nodes
Lynch syndrome
3/14/10 colon resection/ removal of metal clips
Nov 11 dx ovarian cancer

TeriS
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2018 3:37 pm
Facebook Username: Teri “Parker” Smedley

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby TeriS » Wed Dec 19, 2018 7:40 pm

Hello from another Teri! My hair is fine to begin with, but thinned steadily through chemo. I also had been coloring my hair for years. I decided to cut it really short and was interested to find out what color my hair really is. Turns out I’m pretty gray! I am post chemo now and my hair has pretty much grown back in, as well as my eyelashes. I decided I like the gray hair and am keeping it that way for now. It certainly is easier to maintain. Also, I’m keeping the length really short. Best of luck to you.
12/1/17 - 5.5 cm mass found in cecum during colonoscopy
12/8/17 CT scan showed questionable regional lymph nodes and cecum mass only
12/21/17 - right hemicolectomy laparoscopy
1/4/18 - pathology report says T4aN2a — Stage IIIc

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ginabeewell
Posts: 565
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2018 10:30 am

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby ginabeewell » Sun Feb 17, 2019 3:44 pm

Since I initially posted I seem to have lost a LOT more hair. But I am pulling it back into a ponytail and wrapping it in this messy bun wrap and I swear for the price it is a miracle!! A perfect match, and hair done in five minutes and people are shocked when I tell them it's fake!

This cost $20 and included two pieces. One is casual and one is more formal. Best cancer related investment yet.

https://www.headcovers.com/the-style-a- ... irdo-wigs/
49 YO mom of twins (11) lucky stepmom of 16/19 year olds
9/17/18 DX stage 4 CRC w inoperable liver mets CEA 931
Currently NED!

Join me on a lookback of my journey via my Strive for Five on Substack here:
https://ginajacobson.substack.com

All treatment details here:
https://www.weareallmadeofstars.net/col ... nt-journey

My favorite posts here:
https://weareallmadeofstars.net/favorite-posts

Trying
Posts: 250
Joined: Sun May 13, 2018 10:11 pm

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby Trying » Sun Feb 17, 2019 4:17 pm

My hair was thick to begin with so im actually happy with the new thinner hair. I was too scared to dye it too so i bought spray on hair dye that you just use after washing and drying your hair. Worked for me. Nicole
38 yr old single mom of almost 2 year old at the time
April 2018 colon cancer stage IV 10 liver mets and peri met. Folfox and 12 rounds oxyplatin
Fec 2018 Down to 2 mets in liver. 8 dissapeared
July 2019 switched to xeloda pills as I prefer to 3 day infusion. Also on avistan
Oct 2019 emergency colostomy due to perforated bowel. ( unreal pain)
Feb 2020 show 2mm tumor increase.
Plan to go back on oxy
Oxy failed- irinotecan as of of Sept 2020

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby Lee » Sun Feb 17, 2019 5:26 pm

Wow that looks pretty neat. That does look like a very wise investment.

When I was going through chemo, my hair got very frizzy, About 3 months following chemo, you could see when my hair was normal again. My hairdresser cut off all the frizz.

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

margiej
Posts: 109
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2018 8:46 am

Re: Ladies what did you do with your hair during chemo?

Postby margiej » Sun Feb 17, 2019 5:32 pm

Oddly, my hair seems to be getting darker and darker. I am ordering one of these hairpieces right now...it they had one with a few strands of gray, it would be more realistic!
Thanks for the great idea!
Margie
Dx CC 12/2015, age 57 at Dx
Stage IIIb: T3N1b
Adenocarcinoma, sigmoid colon, 2.5 cm - low grade, moderately differentiated
3/6 positive lymph nodes
laparoscopic colectomy 1/20/2016
Capox started 3/4/16 - Six rounds
CT-suspicious lymph 2/22/16
PET scan 2/24/16 clear
CT 6/8/16 clear
Clear Colonoscopy 3/2017 and 1/2020
CT 10/3/17 clear
CT 10/17/18 clear
CT 10/17/19 clear
CEA 12/17 1.7
5/16 3.8
7/16 1.9
3/17 1.3
10/17 1.2
4/18 1.6
11/18 1.2


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